Chapter 59
I looked at him coldly without answering.
However, the originally awkward atmosphere became much more harmonious with the addition of those five percent shares.
"I mentioned it to Eugene yesterday, and Eugene called back today to arrange a meeting with Zach from Crimson Nightclub," I said briefly.
Oscar's eyes turned cold as he said, "Since the owner of Crimson Nightclub is willing to step forward, let him take responsibility first. As for Ivan... he can't escape."
"But..." he changed his tone and looked at me, taking a small sip of water before slowly saying, "I'll handle this matter, you don't need to worry."
A slight smile appeared on my lips as I played with the warm teacup in my hands. "I'm not going just for you. I have my own business to take care of."
Oscar looked at me with confusion. "What business?"
In my mind, I recalled what I'd heard them say to Sophia when I was barely conscious:
"Find a reliable buyer. You need to make sure she doesn't survive. I can pay you more."
Three years have passed, and they continue to flourish.
"I need to ask Zach for two people." What I really wanted to know was whether Zach was involved in this. After all, they were just two small-time players—how much power could they have to traffic people secretly?
Oscar pressed further. "What people? Emily, if something's going on, tell me in advance. I can help."
Since he offered, I naturally accepted. "When I went to see you yesterday, I saw the two people who kidnapped me and sold me to Solstice. To be precise, I didn't see them—I heard their voices, voices I'll never forget for the rest of my life. One of them is the security manager at Crimson Nightclub."
Oscar frowned in thought for just a moment before immediately understanding. "If those two have backing, won't openly demanding them alert whoever's pulling the strings behind the scenes?"
"But I've already had plastic surgery, and last night, it was indeed those two who got into a conflict with me. I believe they'll understand a woman who holds grudges."
The smile on my lips deepened, and I was already planning what came next. If necessary, Jeffrey might need to be released for a while.
I was even more curious about what expression Sophia would have if she saw those two.
Oscar didn't ask any more questions. "Let's wait a couple of days before meeting. I have other matters to handle."
I looked at him questioningly, but he just smiled mysteriously without elaborating.
The butler's voice came from outside. "Mr. Oscar Lopez, Ms. Wilson, and Mr. Robert Lopez asked me to check what you'd like to eat."
They'd never asked what we wanted to eat before. Why was he suddenly asking? And wasn't it still early for lunch?
"Anything's fine, we're not picky," I quickly responded.
Oscar asked with a smile, "Did you shout too loudly earlier? Are they trying to confirm whether we were fighting?"
This topic just wouldn't go away...
"I think you should rest. I'll go downstairs and check. I suddenly feel like having steak—I wonder if the kitchen has the ingredients prepared."
Making up an excuse, I got up to leave. He was being proper now, but his eyes were still bloodshot. Who knew what he might do if we stayed alone in an enclosed space?
I couldn't fight him, and if he took advantage of me, all I could do was demand money as compensation. It was best to keep my distance from him.
As soon as I came downstairs, Robert looked at me with a knowing smile. "Is Oscar okay? It's normal for him to have social obligations, but drinking that much was wrong of him. If you're angry, hit him or yell at him, but don't be hard on yourself."
So Robert had heard some unusual sounds earlier?
"Just now... it was nothing really. He just slipped a bit while showering." I fumbled through some half-baked explanation.
Robert had a knowing expression. "By the way, I heard from Gregory that you signed a contract with the Brown Group? I still need to remind you—friendship is friendship, but business should be based on profit. They... they have some foundation in processing capability, but their equipment isn't really the most advanced anymore."
I smiled at Robert. "Okay, I've looked into all that. It's not the most important thing. Their price is reasonable, so I signed with them to try it out first."
Robert nodded. "As long as you're clear about that, you obviously know what you're doing, so I won't interfere too much. The Brown Family... sometimes it's just hard to put into words. It's just a shame about Emma..."
Hearing him mention my name, I pretended to be curious. "Mr. Lopez, I keep hearing you mention Emma. What... what kind of person was she?"
Robert sighed and glanced at me, his eyes showing affection, as if seeing someone else through me.
"Speaking of Emma, she's the truly pitiful one. She was clearly the Brown Family's real daughter, found when she was thirteen. She should have been cherished, but who knew the whole family was so confused? After she came back, she was treated like an outsider instead. When Gregory and Emma were dating, I was quite happy. That girl was stubborn, but kind and upright, and after all, she was the Brown Family's real heiress..."
He seemed to think of what Gregory did later, sighed helplessly, and shook his head. "Gregory has only himself to blame. He sabotaged his own marriage through his behavior. The Browns initially floated the idea of arranging another match between our families, but I shut that down immediately."
I forced a smile. "If you put it that way, Emma really is quite pitiful. She was surrounded by betrayal—both family and love."
Robert sighed sympathetically. "Sometimes I think maybe it was good that she left. Finding a man who only cares about her would be much better than Gregory."
"Gregory seems so devoted, though. Was it all an act?" I lightly traced my fingers on the tabletop, asking casually.
Robert was Gregory's grandfather—he probably wouldn't speak ill of him.
"It's often said that belated affection is worthless. What's the point of regretting after she's gone? Whether his devotion is real or fake doesn't matter—Emma didn't see it, so it's all fake. What's more, he's now gotten involved with Sophia like that..." Robert gave his cane an irritated thump, but when he looked at me, I could see the warmth behind his frustration.
"So, Emily, with men, it's like flying a kite. You can't just indulge them. Like Emma, constantly giving in and indulging only makes them worse. You need to give and take, keep the string in your own hands, understand?" he said to me with a smile.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Mr. Robert Lopez, does Oscar know you're teaching me ways to deal with him behind his back?"
"It's not dealing with him—this works on all men. Of course, I'd prefer if you only used it on Oscar in the end." His words carried hidden meaning as he glanced at me.
I was somewhat surprised. I was confident that Oscar and I had disguised things well in public. Even in their family car, we were very careful with our words. Yet Robert seemed to have noticed something.
Was I overthinking it?